Vitality Recipe of the Week: Energy Bites

An oldie but goodie go-to snack for both the kids and the adults is pop in your mouth no bake Energy Bites.

These do contain either peanut butter or tree nut butter depending on which option you choose. If you are only allergic or sensitive to one, then you may substitute with the other. I have a kid allergic to coconut so I eliminated this popular ingredient option. (I have listed in the cooking instructions how to incorporate the coconut if you indeed desire this option!!)

After I make these, I keep them in the freezer so they can last much longer...depending on how addicted you get to these.

What a great way to choose a healthier snacking option while supporting your immune system at the same time.



Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

1. 1 2/3 cup uncooked oatmeal (I prefer old-fashioned)
2. 1 tablespoon chia seeds
3. 1/2 cup ground flax seed
4. 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
5. 1/2 cup peanut butter (or your favorite tree nut butter)
6. 1/3 cup honey or agave nectar
7. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
8. 1 to 3 drops Young Living Thieves Vitality Essential Oil (to taste)

In a large glass bowl, add all the dry ingredients (oatmeal, chia & flax seeds, cocoa) and combine these thoroughly ensuring any cocoa chunks are broken. (If you do desire the coconut option then add 2/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes and reduce the oatmeal by 2/3 cup.)

In a medium glass bowl, add the nut butter and sweetner and blend until completely incorporated. Add the vanilla and Thieves Vitality essential oil and blend thoroughly.

Create a well in the dry ingredients bowl, and add the wet ingredients. Mix until all the dry ingredients are thoroughly and evenly blended. Adjust this recipe with more oatmeal if this is too wet to form.

Form approximately 1 inch diameter balls and place onto a try lined with parchment paper until all recipe is used. Chill for 2 hours or freeze for later use. After a few hours of freezing, I place the bites into a freezer container for easier storage and protection from freezer burn.

Did You Know? Cleaning Makeup Brushes

I do not need scientific research to tell me that my makeup brushes are dirty for the same reason I do not need it to tell me when my clothes, hair, and hands are dirty.

Not only does cleaning our makeup brushes get the nasties out, cleaning them also helps them to last longer.

Try using Thieves Dish Soap or Thieves Laundry Soap to clean your makeup brushes.



Just place a dab of either soap in a small glass bowl.

Dab and swirl the makeup brush around in the bowl gently. You will begin seeing all the makeup (and whatever else might be lurking) coming right off!



Use tepid water to rinse your brush. Too hot of water will melt the glue holding your brush onto its handle. Too cold of water can crack the glue. Rinse until the water runs clean. Repeat the cleaning process if necessary.



Dry your brushes flat on a towel with the tips of the brushes just hanging off the edge of the counter to allow air flow to dry all sides.



If you clean your brushes before you go to bed, your brushes should be dry in the morning depending on humidity. You can get ready for your day knowing you're only wearing today's makeup. Have an awesome day by the way!!!

DIY Recipe of the Week

When was the last time you LOVED the smell of your bathroom cleaner? If your cleaner requires a gas mask, gloves, and a well ventilated room then it is definitely time to rethink this equation.

This DIY Thieves Soft Scrub recipe is just what I need for my detail cleaning of sinks, tubs, and toilets. Gentle enough to use on most surfaces, but tough enough on the stuff that daily cleaning does not remove. Like any product you would use, double make sure the ingredients are safe to use on your particular surface, and test it out...when in doubt in a small hidden area.

I find my recipe fits in a glass pint jar quite nicely. Using a wide mouth top also allows for easier usage. For even easier usage, make a batch for each bathroom for quicker clean-up access. No point looking all over the house for that one jar. You know it will ALWAYS be in the opposite end of the house of where you need it.

What you will need:

1/4 cup Thieves Household Cleaner

1 tbsp vinegar (I prefer raw apple cider vinegar)

10 drops Young Living Lemon Essential Oil (why I ONLY use Young Living EO's)

1 1/2 cups baking soda

If you have ever had to make a volcano for science, you understand why it is best to make this recipe in a medium bowl IN the order listed.

Place the baking soda in the bowl. In a small measuring glass, gently mix the liquid ingredients. SLOWLY pour the liquid mix into the bowl of baking soda in small portions and blend until you have the consistency of frosting. Usually, my measurements make the right consistency but different altitudes could change the outcome.

Place this batch in a glass jar, and cover with a lid. I do not know the shelf life of this product because I have always had to make a new batch in about 3 months time with weekly use.

If you haven't made the decision to begin using Young Living products and are ready to do so, hop on over here and I'll get you started!!

No Bake Bites With Thieves!

For those who are discovering more clever ways for your kids to ingest essential oils (Young Living is the ONLY brand that I would EVER recommend ingesting and here's why!!!), here is my favorite method so far.

Elizabeth Medero has a wonderfully yummy fall recipe just perfect for including Young Living Thieves essential oil into the body. She calls them Thieves No Bake Bites. Here is her extremely cute video that will show you how to make this easy and quick snack.

For those unfamiliar with Thieves essential oil you are probably asking, "Why on earth is it called Thieves?" So glad you asked!! Thieves® was created based on research about four thieves in France who covered themselves with cloves, rosemary, and other aromatics while robbing plague victims. This proprietary essential oil blend was university tested for its cleansing abilities. It is highly effective in supporting the immune system and good health. (This statement as not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.)

Comment here let Elizabeth and I know how you and your kids liked them!